Technical Note 09.30 /04 Version 1.0 Amendment 1, July 2013 Fuel Air Explosive (FAE) systems Technical Note 09.30 /04 Version 1.0 (Amendment 1, July 2013) Warning This document is distributed for use by the mine action community, review and comment. Although in a similar format to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) it is not part of the IMAS Series. It is subject to change without notice and may not be referred to as an International Standard. Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation. Comments should be sent to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. The contents of this document have been drawn from a range of open source information, and have been technically validated as far as reasonably possible. Users should be aware of this limitation when utilising the information contained within this document. They should always remember that this is an advisory document only; it is not an authoritative directive. Cover Photograph: USA BLU-72/B, Kuwait, © P Blagden, 1991. ii Technical Note 09.30 /04 Version 1.0 (Amendment 1, July 2013) Contents Contents ................................................................................................................................ iii Foreword ................................................................................................................................ v Introduction ............................................................................................................................ vi Fuel Air Explosive (FAE) systems ......................................................................................... 1 1. Scope .......................................................................................................................... 1 2. References .................................................................................................................. 1 3. Terms and definitions .................................................................................................. 1 4. Background ................................................................................................................. 1 5. Reasons for FAE system hazard clearance ................................................................ 1 6. Current systems .......................................................................................................... 2 6.1. Development .......................................................................................................... 2 6.2. Enhanced Blast Munitions (EBM) and Thermobaric muntions .............................. 2 6.3. Weaponisation ....................................................................................................... 2 6.4. FAE systems .......................................................................................................... 3 7. Fuel Air Explosives (FAE) .......................................................................................... 4 7.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4 7.2. Performance of FAE systems ................................................................................ 4 7.3. TNT equivalence .................................................................................................... 5 7.4. Blast effects............................................................................................................ 5 7.5. Upper and Lower Explosive Limits (UEL and LEL)................................................ 5 7.6. Initiation .................................................................................................................. 6 7.6.1. Explosive initiation ................................................................................................. 6 7.7. Chemical initiation .................................................................................................. 6 7.8. Cloud formation and dispersion ............................................................................. 6 8. Hazards ....................................................................................................................... 6 8.1. EOD hazards.......................................................................................................... 6 8.2. Advice and International Responsibilities .............................................................. 7 9. Guidance on Render Safe Procedures (RSP) ............................................................ 8 9.1. Shaped charge attack ............................................................................................ 8 9.2. Ballistic Disc attack ................................................................................................ 8 9.3. Destruction by detonation ...................................................................................... 8 9.4. Other options.......................................................................................................... 9 10. Equipment ................................................................................................................... 9 10.1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ................................................................... 9 10.2. Respirator ............................................................................................................... 9 11. Safety brief .................................................................................................................. 9 12. Recommendations .................................................................................................... 10 12.1. National mine action authority.............................................................................. 10 iii Technical Note 09.30 /04 Version 1.0 (Amendment 1, July 2013) 12.2. Demining organisations ....................................................................................... 10 12.3. Demining personnel ............................................................................................. 10 Annex A (Normative) References ........................................................................................ 11 Annex B (Informative) Enhanced Blast and Thermobaric munitions .................................. 12 Annex C (Informative) Hazard data sheets - common fuels ............................................... 13 Amendment record .............................................................................................................. 14 iv Technical Note 09.30 /04 Version 1.0 (Amendment 1, July 2013) Foreword Management practices and operational procedures for humanitarian mine action are constantly evolving. Improvements are made, and changes are required, to enhance safety and productivity. Changes may come from the introduction of new technology, in response to a new mine or UXO threat, and from field experience and lessons learned in other mine action projects and programmes. This experience and lessons learned should be shared in a timely manner. Technical Notes provide a forum to share experience and lessons learned by collecting, collating and publishing technical information on important, topical themes, particularly those relating to safety and productivity. Technical Notes complement the broader issues and principles addressed in International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). Technical Notes are not formally staffed prior to publication. They draw on practical experience and publicly-available information. Over time, some Technical Notes may be 'promoted' to become full IMAS standards, while others may be withdrawn if no longer relevant or if superseded by more up-to-date information. Technical Notes are neither legal documents nor IMAS. There is no legal requirement to accept the advice provided in a Technical Note. They are purely advisory and are designed solely to supplement technical knowledge or to provide further guidance on the application of IMAS. Technical Notes are compiled by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) at the request of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in support of the international mine action community. They are published on the IMAS website (www.mineactionstandards.org). v Technical Note 09.30 /04 Version 1.0 (Amendment 1, July 2013) Introduction There have been occasions in Kuwait involving a requirement to render safe, or certify as safe to move, Fuel Air Explosive (FAE) systems. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that such systems have been deployed and used more recently in Chechyna. This Technical Note has been written, as an advisory document, to remind, or inform, mine action managers and field staff of the major hazards of FAE systems. The Technical Note provides guidance on the establishment of safe operating environments and procedures. It also provides guidance, (developed from first principles), for the formulation of a render safe procedure, but the appropriate technical advice should always be taken. The clearance of FAE systems should only be undertaken by appropriately qualified EOD personnel or other qualified staff; they are not a task for basic deminers or other field staff. vi Technical Note 09.30 /04 Version 1.0 (Amendment 1, July 2013) Fuel Air Explosive (FAE1) systems 1. Scope This Technical Note provides guidance on the identification of hazards, and establishment of safe